Rehabilitation interventions in children with respiratory pathology in the hospital setting: a scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: Although pediatric respiratory rehabilitation is a fundamental pillar in the prevention of complications, the existing evidence remains fragmented, compromising the standardization and safety of care.

Methodology: This scoping review, based on the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) methodology and guided by the PCC strategy (“Which respiratory rehabilitation interventions are described in the scientific literature for children aged 0–14 years hospitalized with acute, chronic, or exacerbated chronic respiratory disease?”), was conducted between January and September 2025 in the databases MEDLINE Complete, CINAHL Complete (via EBSCOhost), B-on, and other relevant sources for pediatric scientific production, including RCAAP and Google Scholar. The search included studies published in Portuguese, English, Spanish, and French and was conducted by two independent reviewers using a previously defined extraction form.

Results: Rehabilitation interventions were identified across three domains: 1) Functional Respiratory Re-education, focused on bronchial hygiene and early mobilization; 2) Clinical Surveillance and Therapeutic Regimen Management, focused on safety and activity tolerance; and 3) Care partnering, involving caregiver education to promote adherence. Evidence was found mainly in intensive and intermediate care settings, revealing considerable technical heterogeneity across age groups.

Conclusion: The findings of this review reinforce the idea that pediatric respiratory rehabilitation requires a differentiated approach adapted to the specific needs of children in the hospital context. The scarce literature produced by nurses highlights a gap in the discipline’s own body of knowledge, emphasizing the need for rehabilitation nurses to lead the systematic consolidation of evidence focused on the child’s recovery as a pathology-free individual, enabling the identification of process and outcome indicators that demonstrate the health gains generated by specialized care.